What technology allows the public to text 9-1-1 and send videos to communication centers?

Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) is designed to enhance emergency communication systems beyond the capabilities of traditional 9-1-1 services. This advanced technology enables the public to text messages, send photos, videos, and provide other multimedia content directly to communication centers. This capability significantly improves the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response, as it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation at hand.

Traditional 9-1-1 systems are limited to voice calls and do not support texting or multimedia transmissions. The Emergency Broadcast System focuses primarily on disseminating emergency information and alerts to the public rather than facilitating direct communication between citizens and emergency responders. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) refers to phone services that use the internet for transmitting voice calls, which can integrate with 9-1-1 but does not inherently enable multimedia messaging to emergency services.

Therefore, NG911 represents a crucial evolution in emergency management, providing vital tools for modern communication that improve public safety efforts.